The Processing and Performance group of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is looking for a PhD student to conduct research on soft multiphase materials, such as foams and emulsions, specifically focusing on experimentally studying the dynamics of thin liquid films using novel microfluidic techniques, tensiometry, and interfacial rheometry.

Job Description

Surface-active species, including synthetic copolymers and proteins, play a crucial role in the makeup of multiphase soft materials (foams, emulsions and polymer blends). These materials find diverse applications in the environmental, biomedical, food, and energy sectors. The stability and rheological behavior of these materials are intricately linked to the behavior of the thin liquid films (TLFs) that separate the dispersed droplets or bubbles.

In this research endeavor, the student will explore free-standing films stabilized by precisely defined macromolecules and well-characterized novel-sourced proteins. They will employ cutting-edge techniques, such as the dynamic thin film balance (DTFB), interfacial and bulk rheometry, and tensiometry. The investigations will delve into understanding how microscopic processes, such as film drainage and rupture, are influenced by the molecular characteristics of the adsorbing substances and the rheological properties of the corresponding interfaces. While the project primarily focuses on fundamental aspects, the knowledge gained will eventually provide valuable insights for engineering multiphase soft materials, offering clear guidelines for the development of novel formulations.

Related publications:

Chatzigiannakis, E., & Vermant, J. (2020). Breakup of thin liquid films: From stochastic to deterministic. Physical review letters, 125(15), 158001.

Chatzigiannakis, E., Jaensson, N., & Vermant, J. (2021). Thin liquid films: Where hydrodynamics, capillarity, surface stresses and intermolecular forces meet. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, 53, 101441.